Fitzgerald, who was back in the lineup just weeks after suffering a serious knee injury while sliding into second base June 17, fanned four Cougars in the two-hit gem.
"It was really good to be back," said Fitzgerald, "and a great way to start the second season. We played well as a team, everybody did what they were supposed to do.
"Since I can't hit yet, I concentrated on what I could do to help the team. Amie (Conrad) and coach (Jane Osterhaus) and I worked hard and things were going so well. I just focus in on where my pitches are supposed to go. Amie was giving me good signals."
Ally Noethe led the Blazers at the plate, going 3-for-3 (double) and scoring twice. Jenna Lansing was also 3-for-3 (double) with three RBIs, while Maddi Vaske completed the triplet with a 3-for-3 (double) and two RBIs. Abby Steger, Kelley Funke, Lauren Fitzgerald and
| Advertisement |
|---|
|
|
The Blazers took the early lead when Noethe doubled and scored in the first inning. Beckman built it to 3-0 in the third inning when Lansing doubled in Rachel Hall with a shot to center field. Lansing scored on Vaske's double.
The two combined a second time in the fourth inning for the final score.
Osterhaus added, "The team played sound defense in this game. This team has made great strides in improvement from our first game against Senior. Now we keep building and look forward to next year."
Fitzgerald fanned five batters in the game. She concluded, "We're looking forward to next year. We'll miss the seniors like we always do, but now we know the coach and she knows us better, so we'll have a good year.
"We'll probably play fall league ball and work with coach in the off season, and continue to work with a pitching/throwing coach in Clermont to be ready for next year."